Job Description
Position Title: Program Manager II-Mauritania Program Coordinator
Dept./Country: Sahel, West Africa/Mauritania
Reports To: Head of Programming
Location: Dakar, Senegal with 50% travel to Mauritania
Band: D
FLSA: Exempt
Job Background/Summary:
Mauritania is among the world’s least developed food-deficit countries, ranked 155 out of 186 on the 2013 UNDP Human Development Index. According to the January 30, 2014 Humanitarian Overview released by the UN (United Nations) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 42% of the population lives below the poverty line and 470,000 people are at risk of food insecurity. In 2011, droughts across the Sahel severely impacted Mauritania, with insufficient rainfall leading to a 34% reduction in the metric tons of food produced for 2011/2012.
The World Food Program (WFP) estimated that 700,000 Mauritanians were thus exposed to a food insecurity and malnutrition crisis. The 2012 rainy season was erratic and yielded higher than normal rainfall amounts (20% higher than the 10 year average). Coupled with inconsistent rainfall amounts from 2012, the effects of the 2011 crisis still linger, especially for extremely vulnerable and vulnerable families feeling the long-term effects of food insecurity and high levels of debt they incurred the previous year. Recovery from a crisis takes several years and the compounded pressures of climate change, repeated cycles of drought (2011 brought the third food crisis in a decade), fluctuating food prices, and the degradation of natural resources (including water resources that have been progressively depleted by low rainfall and increased evaporation) have exacerbated the vulnerable food security situation in Mauritania.
Primary Function:
Based in Dakar, Senegal, the CRS Mauritania Program Coordinator will be responsible for managing an 18 month OFDA recovery project targeting the southern agro-pastoral zone in Brakna region.
However, the Program Coordinator position will also be expected to work with the Senegal Country Representative and Head of Programming to explore and outline other new possible funding opportunities.
The Coordinator will be expected to work with SWA RTAs for Emergencies and Strategic Growth as appropriate.
Specific Job Responsibility:
Program Management
- Manage an eighteen month OFDA funded recovery project in coordination with a team of local Project Managers and develop transition strategies in anticipation of upcoming resiliency opportunities in Mauritania.
- Contribute to the development of a mid-term CRS response plan concerning agriculture recovery and development strategies.
- In cooperation with the HoP, assist in the preparation of concept papers and grant proposals for submission to major donors. This will include working closely with program staff, potential local partners and communities to conduct participatory needs assessments, project design and proposal writing.
- Ensure program quality through development and implementation of monthly or quarterly emergency and recovery project reviews, comprehensive MEAL systems and partner capacity enhancement.
- Complete timely narrative reports to donors and ensure coordination with finance to complete and submit reports to donors.
- Enhance CRS Senegal and local Mauritanian implementing partners’ capacity in needs assessment, program planning and evidence based monitoring and evaluation.
- Support Project Manager(s) and the CRS PM MEAL to effectively implement, and improve as needed, the MEAL systems across all projects, following Propack III. Facilitate or coordinate Real-Time Evaluations as needed. Promote project reviews and other learning events.
- Prepare or assist project staff in the preparation of project reports as required by CRS, external donors and other interested bodies.
- Prepare regular updates on emergency and recovery programs for regional Sitreps and donors as required.
- Work with program staff to promote CRS partnership principles and explore new partnerships that will expand CRS programming in Mauritania.
Budget Responsibilities
- Work in close collaboration with CRS Senegal senior management team, especially the Head of Programs and Head of Finance to facilitate effective program implementation in Mauritania.
- Ensure responsible budget management for current programming including overseeing fund transfers to partners, liquidation of project advances, clearing receivables, and reporting to donors.
- Ensure the development of emergency and development project budgets for new proposals.
- Ensure compliance with all CRS and donor financial requirements in collaboration with the CRS Senegal Finance Department.
- Collaborate with the finance department to ensure budget managers are trained and meet CRS budgetary cycle deadlines.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Work in close collaboration with CRS Senegal senior management team, especially the Head of Programs, MEAL Coordinator, and Administration to facilitate effective program coordination in Mauritania.
- Ensure program compliance with all CRS and donor administrative requirements in collaboration with CRS Senegal Administration departments.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Supervise 3 Project Manager and 1 Project Officer with additional staff depending on program development.
- Be accountable for progressive staff development and career advancement, as well as for team and individual performance linked to the CP’s objectives.
- Ensure specific performance objectives including setting clear indicators related to CP/team’s performance are included in staff individual plan.
- Ensure systematic and effective implementation of the agency performance management system including all phases: performance management plan and development, coaching sessions and performance appraisal are conducted and prepare PIPs as often as needed.
- Collaborate with HR to ensure competencies are reflected in standard job interview questions and in orientation.
- Collaborate with HR to ensure staff compliance with local labor laws and requirements.
- Support staff through close attention to staff care, mentoring, and development and monitoring of CRS Performance Plans through coaching sessions and appraisals.
- Promote appropriate staff behavior in the field and a Do no Harm approach for a better understanding of local communities and the local working environment.
- Integrate security management into program activities with a particular attention to the strategy of acceptance and compliance of staff with security procedures.
Representation
- Maintain good relationship with the Catholic Church in Mauritania and Caritas and ensure frequent communication regarding CRS’ activities in Mauritania.
- Maintain contact with the Government of Mauritania, Donor Agencies, the UN cluster system, other NGOs and humanitarian actors in Mauritania to ensure that interventions are coordinated with those of other agencies and meet local requirements.
- Represent CRS and share information regularly with local authorities, local partners, the UN, other NGOs and other appropriate networks.
- Support where appropriate UN contingency planning.
- Identify/negotiate funding opportunities and pursue strategic partnerships for ongoing activities.
Security Management
- In collaboration with the Country Representative and Regional Security Focal points, develop a comprehensive Safety and Security Plan for CRS Operations in Mauritania.
- Ensure program and staff compliance with established security protocols.
- Assist partners as requested with the development and implementation of staff safety and security plans.
CRS Emergency Competencies
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
- Communicates strategically under pressure
- Manages stress and complexities
- Actively promotes safety and security
- Implements high-quality emergency programs
Program Manager Competencies
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
- Sets clear goals and manages toward them
- Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders
- Manages financial resources with integrity
- Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
- Serves with Integrity
- Models Stewardship
- Cultivates Constructive Relationships
- Promotes Learning
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: CR, Head of Programming, PM MEAL, Head of Finance, Head of Administration, SWA RTA Emergencies, SWA RTA Growth, SWA RTA Operations and regional PQ and MQ Teams.
External: Local and international NGOs, Government of Mauritania, UN agencies, Partners and Donors.
Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in related field or equivalent experience
- Must have a minimum of five years program management experience with an international NGO in a similar capacity.
- Experience in emergencies and program planning and management.
- Demonstrated application of SHPERE Standards.
- Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with local communities and NGOs as appropriate.
- Ability to represent CRS at high level coordination meetings with donors, local Mauritanian government authorities, UN, and other international NGOs.
- Demonstrated leadership ability in strategic planning initiatives.
- Proven ability to develop proposals and write reports meeting donor requirements.
- Excellent analytical, management, communication and negotiation skills.
- Must be able to prioritize multiple work demands and work effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision.
- Proven ability to be an effective supervisor and building the capacity of national staff with varying levels of responsibility.
- Advanced computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
- Professional proficiency in French and English – Arabic a plus.
Physical Requirements/Environment:
The position is primarily based in Dakar, Senegal. The position requires approximately 50% travel to Mauritania, in areas with limited amenities such as Nouakchott, Boghe, and project sites.
Foreign Language Required: Professional proficiency in French.
Disclaimer Clause: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position
Internal applicants are strongly encouraged to apply within the first 10 days of posting.
NOTE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
